Indore: BRICS nations have come together to adopt the "Indore Declaration", marking a significant step towards deeper cooperation in the agricultural sector. The declaration, announced after a five-day meeting of agriculture ministers and officials under India's presidency, includes launching initiatives such as a global forum on farmers' seed rights, a digital agriculture network, and a platform for agroecology and regenerative farming.
According to Emirates News Agency, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasized that the member countries have agreed on establishing several new institutional mechanisms, with India taking a coordinating role in many of them. The Indore Declaration reaffirms BRICS countries' commitment to strengthening food and nutrition security, improving small and marginal farmers' livelihoods, increasing women's and youth participation in agriculture, promoting climate-resilient and sustainable farming, and enhancing cooperation in agricultural trade and investment.
The BRICS nations have also reiterated their commitment to a "fair, inclusive and transparent" multilateral trading system and discussed measures to facilitate agricultural trade. Among the key decisions, the countries agreed to establish a 'Global Forum on Farmers' Rights in Seed Systems' to promote farmers' rights and preserve traditional knowledge linked to seed systems, with India coordinating this initiative.
The countries will also create the BRICS AGRIN Network to facilitate cooperation in agricultural inputs, genetic resources, and information-sharing, with India serving as the coordinating country for this network. The platform aims to support the exchange of agricultural resources, technical information, and best practices among member nations.
BRICS nations have also agreed to continue discussions on operationalising the proposed "BRICS Grain Exchange" to strengthen foodgrain trade and supply chains among member countries, which could improve market linkages and supply-chain cooperation.
In addressing climate change challenges, BRICS countries plan to establish a 'BRICS Centres of Excellence Network' in agroecology and regenerative agriculture, with initial coordination by the Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram. Additionally, the creation of a Digital Agriculture Network has been endorsed to promote using AI, IoT, geospatial technologies, and other digital solutions in agriculture, with initial coordination by IIT Delhi.
Chouhan highlighted that the BRICS countries have also agreed to strengthen the BRICS Agricultural Research Platform and transform it into a "Knowledge to Action Hub" to ensure research outcomes reach farmers more quickly. These initiatives aim to empower small and marginal farmers, strengthen food security, and make agriculture more sustainable and resilient.
The meeting saw participation from around 100 delegates, including nearly 60 foreign representatives from member and partner countries. Chouhan noted that the decisions reflect BRICS countries' shared commitment to addressing common agricultural challenges through innovation, technology, and knowledge-sharing. With BRICS nations representing nearly half of the world's population and accounting for about 42% of global agricultural land and foodgrain production, enhanced cooperation among these countries could significantly strengthen global food security.